NEWLY RECONSTRUCTED ‘MUSEO NI DR. PIO VALENZUELA’ UNVEILED

NEWLY RECONSTRUCTED ‘MUSEO NI DR. PIO VALENZUELA’ UNVEILED

February 18, 2023 @ 1:47 PM 1 month ago


HONORING his life, heroism and patriotism, the Valenzuela City government has unveiled the newly-reconstructed ‘Museo ni Dr. Pio Valenzuela’ in Barangay Pariancillo Villa.

Originally built in the 19th century, the house of Dr. Pio Valenzuela is one of the most important structures in the city which symbolizes the hero’s courage, leadership, and selfless service to his fellowmen, according to Mayor Wes Gatchalian.

It’s the former mayor and now secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Rex Gatchalian, who exerted much effort to rebuild the structure after the city government has been entrusted by the Valenzuela family to preserve it and the legacy of the great Katipunan hero.

Dr. Valenzuela’s heirs wanted the post-war house to be restored and converted into a museum although there weren’t enough funds for this to push through.

Eventually, the city government stepped in to provide the budget for this project to honor the revolutionary doctor and civic leader and rebuild the house as it was in the 1920s,” the city chief executive said.

Dr. Valenzuela was one of the three highest leaders of the Katipunan along with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.

He ran as provincial governor of Bulacan and served two terms. After retiring from public office, he built a house in Polo, Bulacan (now Valenzuela) where he continued practicing medicine.

Along with the celebration of the city’s 25th Charter Day, the unveiling of the historical marker from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the inauguration of the museum was led by the Valenzuela mayor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Bernadette Fatima Romulo-Puyat representing the Valenzuela family and acting NHCP Executive Director Carminda Arevalo.

“With the newly-inaugurated heritage site, the city government aims to provide more sightseeing spaces bringing the ‘Valenzuelanos’ closer to their historical roots,” the mayor said.

Descendants of Dr. Pio Valenzuela, namely, Romulo-Puyat, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and his wife ex-Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad-Romulo, Architect Arturo Valenzuela, Pasig Councilor Simon Romulo, artist Olivia d’ Aboville and the rest of the Valenzuela family were recognized as the special guests during the historic event.